Can't remeber the dates they came in, but they had much heavier bolt dimesnions for starters (as you have seen), I was going to make otehr comments but hey if you have the 461 you can see them.
The 491 was the last model of action Sako made before the three lugged 75 model was introduced. It�s in my opinion a very good action for a precision rifle. It�s a bit heavy compared against the older Sako actions tough.
I have built a few rifles around this action and one thing I like to do is to replace the "L" shaped alloy recoil lug with a "steel block" fitted over the tap on the action. I fix the new recoil lug with screws and epoxy.
Another thing you mabye want to do if you are planning do do some work on the action (or have anybody else do it) is to square the face of the action. Besides making the face tru this increase the area for the barrel to lock up against. The original area is quite narrow and you have to turn down the barrel a lot more to be flush with the action.
The trigger is useally good but can be done very good with some polishing and honing.
Get a pair of Sako scope mounts, the two peace model. I consider them to be the only really good mounts for a Sako action. They have plstic insearts to so the scope will not suffer any stress in the mount.
One bad thing about the Sakos is the scope mounting system. The tapered bases looks really good but it�s really hard to get the mount to be rock solid. The bases isn�t always perfectly lined up to.... The Sako mounts take care of this though. The back side is the price....
The 491 action will make a base for a fine rifle !! Good luck with it.
Stefan.
Welcome to the forum.
I see you're from Pearland, Texas.
I did my pilot training out of Hobby, and we used to fly over Pearland everyday.
We have built dozens of rifles on this action. It is made to the usual high standards of Sako.
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saeed@ emirates.net.ae
www.accuratereloading.com
Regards,
Jordan